Estriol has a much less stimulating effect on the breast tissue and the uterine lining than both estradiol
and estrone. Estradiol is 1000 times more stimulating to the breast tissue than estriol. Since estriol is the
weakest of the three naturally occurring estrogens when it comes to estrogen activity, yet comprises nearly 80% of the
total free estrogen in the female body, estriol is thought to have a protective effect in the female body. That is,
when estriol levels become low, there is less of this weak estrogen to occupy estrogen receptor sites, therefore leaving more
estrogen sites available to be stimulated by the stronger estrogens, estradiol and estrone.
Some researchers believe that not only does estriol NOT promote breast cancer, but it actually protects against
the disease. In 1966, H.M. Lemon, M.D. demonstrated that women with breast cancer have lower estriol levels. He
later showed that women without breast cancer had naturally higher estriol levels than those with breast cancer.
Estriol is the weakest of the three estrogens when used topically and orally, but considered the strongest
when used locally to the vaginal canal. Therefore, is thought to be a preferred estrogen when used vaginally.
When using low doses of estriol, no significant uterine or breast stimulation is typically observed. Therefore, estriol
is sometimes used in the high-risk patient where estrogen therapy needs to be extremely conservative.
Since little research has been completed, estriol has not conclusively shown the same positive
protective effects to the heart in terms of raising HDL levels and maintaining bone mass as estradiol. Because of its weak
action in the body, it sometimes fails to control many of the symptoms of menopause. It is for this reason that we see it
used in combination with estradiol most frequently. Many women, however, do use estriol in combination with natural progesterone,
and find the combination to be very successful.
Estriol, when used as a vaginal preparation for vaginal dryness and irritation, works incredibly
well, without usually using any breast stimulation or uterine proliferation. For the high-risk patient, we reduce the strength
down to .5mg per gram. The normal strength is 1-2mg per gram of gel. We generally recommend using for 7-10 consecutive days
at bedtime, then use 2-3 times a week as symptoms dictate.
WHY USE ESTRIOL?
The key to the success of any hormone replacement therapy (HRT) program is the balancing
of the body's natural hormone levels so that they will mimic the normal physiologic hormonal levels for that specific person.
Many times, different natural hormone (NH) compounds are prescribed as a matter of practitioner preference or personal good
luck or experience with a preparation. Certainly not to be overlooked is patient preference. Through patient education,
people have developed their own ideas on how they wish their HRT program to be structured. Estriol is usually prescribed
or more often requested by the patient because of the reputation it has developed as being a safe estrogen.
MOST COMMON STRENGTHS
1 and 2mg (2mg is thought to be equal to .625 mg conjugated
estrogen) We disagree.....it usually takes much more than 2mg of estriol to be equal to a .625mg conjugated
estrogen.
***Doses should always be individualized.*** We have over 900 formulas to
choose from.***
**References for general information about natural hormones provided upon request.
ESTRADIOL(E-2)
ESTRADIOL is the strongest of the three naturally occurring
estrogens found in the female body. It is the most important and significant estrogen throughout a woman's productive
life. Estradiol is the most effective of the three estrogens. It is primarily produced by the ovaries.
When we speak of the benefits of estrogen, most generally we think of estradiol as the main participant. It is the most
potent, and also the most beneficial estrogen in controlling all the estrogen deficient symptoms associated with menopause.
Estradiol is also recognized to be the most significant estrogen in raising high-density lipoproteins (HDL- the good cholesterol),
maintaining bone mass, possible protection from Alzheimer's disease, improved skin, and many more. Because of its relative
activity compared to the other estrogens, estradiol can also be blamed for many estrogen-dominant characteristics, such as
uterine proliferation, breast stimulation and tenderness, breast cancer, fluid retention, increased body fat, and reduced
thyroid function, to mention a few. Most, if not all, of these undesirable estrogen-dominant characteristics can be
overcome with the proper balance of the natural estrogens, and the use of natural progesterone along with the estrogen therapy.
At this time, Estradiol is the only natural estrogen which is produced and sold commercially
by drug companies. The exception might be an occasional estrone injection product which seems to go on and off the market
from time to time. Estradiol is commercially available in tablet, patch, and vaginal form. A commercial hybrid
of estradiol, ethinyl-estradiol, is not a natural (bio-identical) hormone.
Estradiol patches are thought by some endocrinologists to release medication sporadically thus
causing irradic dosing and responses. The biggest problem with the patch has traditionally been the adhesives used to
attach them to the body. Many women are allergic and develop sensitivites to the adhesives. Many women find them
hard to keep on their bodies while bathing.
It is now believed that oral estrogens might reduce the production of growth hormone in women,
thus indicating the topical route to be the best way of administering estrogen.
Estradiol when administered orally causes high levels of estrone to accumulate in the blood.
Some of the metabolites of estrone are known to be a problem. When administered orally, Estradiol also decreases the
conversion of T4 (the inactive form of thyroid) to T3 (the active form of thyroid), thereby reducing thyroid function.
In addition, oral Estradiol has also shown to increase insulin resistance. When taken orally, estradiol may be more
responsible for clot formation when compared to topically applied estradiol.
WHY USE ESTRADIOL?
The key to the success of any hormone replacement therapy (HRT) program is the balancing
of the bodies natural hormone levels so that they will mimic the normal physiologic hormonal levels for
that specific person. Estradiol is the primary estrogen produced by the body which metabolizes to both estrone and estriol.
It is easy to understand that an estrogen that converts or is metabolized to another estrogen might easily be out of balance
if it is no longer being produced by the ovaries due to menopause. Estradiol, as the strongest and most significant
estrogen in the female body, has a proven track record as the most beneficial estrogen to control the symptoms of menopause,
plus has the all the preventive effects enjoyed by estrogen. Through the use of natural progesterone with estrogen therapy,
most unwanted side effects of estrogen can be eliminated.
MOST COMMON STRENGTHS
.5mg, 1mg, and 2mg.
***Doses should always be individualized.*** We have over 900 formulas to
choose from.***
**References for general information about natural hormones provided upon request.
WHY USE A BI-ESTROGEN?
Biestrogen, as the word might indicate, is a combination of two
estrogens: Estriol (E-3), and Estradiol (E-2). These two estrogens are 2 of the 3 natural occurring or "bio-identical"
estrogens found in the female body.
BI-ESTROGEN= ESTRIOL + ESTRADIOL
The key to the success of any hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
program is the balancing of the body's natural hormone levels so that they will mimic the normal physiologic hormonal levels
for that specific person. Many times, different natural hormone (NH) compounds are prescribed as a matter of practitioner
preference or personal good luck or experience with a preparation. Certainly not to be overlooked is patient preference.
Through patient education, people have developed their own ideas on how they wish their HRT program to be structured.
When a woman enters menopause, Estrone (E-1) the third estrogen, becomes dominant as the ovaries stop producing
estradiol. Estrone at this time is produced by the adrenals and in the fat tissue of the body. Because estrone
can be produced in the fat tissue of the body, depending on an individual (overweight) and diet, estrone levels can remain
high. It would then make sense if we have an abundance of estrone at menopause, we might choose to suppliment with only
Estriol and Estradiol (thus bi-estrogen) to maintain proper balance of the body's natural hormones. Remember, the balance
of these hormones to each other is the key to a successful HRT program.
MOST COMMON STRENGTHS
1.25 mg and 2.5 mg
(2.5 mg given orally twice a day is approximately equal
to .625 mg of conjugated estrogen)
***Doses should always be individualized. We have over 900
formulas to choose from.***
STRENGTH TRANSLATION
There is NO general rule for a bi-estrogen: Bi-estrogen
= estriol + estradiol
Example: Bi-est 2.5mg = 2mg
estriol + .5mg estradiol
Bi-est 2/1mg = 2mg estriol + 1mg estradiol
The first number in the strength designation is always
ESTRIOL and the second number after the decimal (.) or back-slash (/) is always ESTRADIOL.
SOURCE OF NATURAL (BIO IDENTICAL) ESTROGENS
We compound all of our hormonal preparations using only all natural
(bio-identical), soy (plant derived), USP grade, micronized hormone powders. When we say bio-identical, we mean exactly like
the human body produces. We use no animal products. These products must not be confused with phyto (plant) products,
which may mimic to a small degree some of the body's own hormones, but are not considered to be bio-identical hormones. All
of our compounded preparations require a prescription from a licensed practitioner.
SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH ESTROGEN
IN WOMEN
- Uterine bleeding
- Tender swollen breasts
- Water retention
- Increased body fat
- Headaches
- Hypertension
- Irritability
Although these are general symptoms of too much estrogen, ESTRIOL generally does
not display these symptoms unless prescribed in large doses.
COMPOUNDED PREPARATIONS AVAILABLE
Oral capsules: Made using natural gelatin capsules
with hormone suspended in a cold pressed natural safflower oil with viamin E added. Oil-filled oral capsules are known
to give the best absorption of oral hormones. For best absorption, capsules should be taken with food.
These preparations usually give more consistent results when dosed twice a day.
Topical gels: Made using a base known as a hydro-alcoholic
gel. USP alcohol is added for stability and efficacy. The gel base contains no oils, no petroleum additives, and no
perfumes. This type of base has been used in Europe for years as an industry standard known to be the best for delivery
of topically applied hormones. The strength of gels designated as mgs per 1/4 teaspoonful should be applied to inner
arms or inner thighs; NO neck, face or mucous membranes. Apply at least three consecutive days to one area for
better tissue saturation and better results. This should be dosed twice a day, if possible, to give more consistent
results. The little dose spoons we supply with topical preparations measure 1/8 teaspoonful when leveled off.
Vaginals: Made using either a gel base or
vanishing cream base. This can be applied via an applicator or finger dab. Generally women do not need
a high introduction in the vaginal canal, and therefore, a finger dab may be more convenient.
Combinations: Progesterone, Testosterone, or DHEA may
be added to any formula upon order from a practitioner. (Exception: we do not typically add these hormones to the vaginal
preparations.)
**References for more information about natural hormones are provided
upon request.
